‘The Walking Dead’: Comics Departure May Spell Doom For Daryl Dixon

Daryl Dixon is arguably the most popular character in The Walking Dead, owing mostly to the earlier seasons of his work. However, he’s not a comic-book character, and as the series has progressed, creator Robert Kirkman and showrunner Scott Gimple have run into some difficulties keeping him involved in storylines from the source material. Robert Kirkman has spoken about the Daryl problem in the past, and more or less conceded the character often has to subsume the role of others.

Specifically, for instance, the creation of Daryl Dixon cost Tyrese his role on the television show, as Chad Coleman explained after this character was killed off.

“The creation of Daryl, more than anything else, is probably the reason why I’m not on the show. I was [Rick’s] right-hand man [in the comics].”

The role of right hand to Rick has been spread among several characters over the course of the series. Tyrese has fulfilled that role, as have Michonne, Carol and Abraham. Michonne has been transformed into right hand and love interest (and she’s not going anywhere); Carol’s character (and strength) has basically been decimated, culminating in tonight’s episode in which she basically abandoned Alexandria because she could no longer kill; and Tyrese was killed off last season.

That essentially leaves two characters fulfilling similar roles in the series: Daryl and Abraham. That role is about to get even more crowded now that Jesus has come on board. Moving forward, one of those three needs to die. We got a hint of which it might be in tonight’s episode, “Twice as Far,” when creator Scott Gimple spared the life of Abraham.

For those who are not familiar with the comics, it’s helpful to know that Abraham was shot through the eye and killed suddenly by Dwight with a bow and arrow. That didn’t happen in tonight’s episode. Rather, the “left turn” the series took was in killing Denise in that matter, instead. Denise died exactly as Abraham had in the comics.

That likely means one of two things: Either Abraham’s life was spared because he is set to become the first victim of Negan (unlikely), or Scott Gimple has decided to spare Abraham”s life and instead have Negan kill off Daryl, instead. If Abraham survives, it’s difficult to imagine a series where Daryl, Abraham, and Jesus can co-exist in similar roles. That’s too many cooks in the right-hand man position.

Yes, your words are wise. I was worried about Daryl for half a minute. After reading the article, I feel a lot better. I have never encountered so much warranted disdain for an “internet … journalist?”

After Negan kills Darryl, the Governor’s going to feed chunks of him to the walkers at the prison fence, and then Gareth, the GREATEST VILLAIN EVER is going to be revealed to be the one working with the Irish…

“Daryl’s character has been going nowhere for 2 seasons”
– Featured episode with Beth
– Introduced Dwight
– Discovery of Paul
– On Denise’s Supply Run
– With Rick when he found Jesus
– Killed Negans crew with a Bazooka

What other character outside of Rick has been busier?? I mean seriously, Rick -> Carl (by association) -> Daryl
Those 3 by far get the most screen time. And if you think they are going to brain Daryl before he gets whatever sorta comeuppance they have planned for Dwight (i won’t mention comic spoilers), you’re nutso.

Well, if they are going to keep Abe around, maybe they could dial back on the poop-based aphorisms (Why are dingleberries brown… picking up the clean end of a turd, etc.) and give him some actual dialogue. His scene with Mullet Head in the metal shop was unbearable.

So let me get this straight… The saviors are what appears to be a massive collection of murdering badasses that keep coming out of the woodwork but the writers of the show cannot figure out enough storyline for the primary group to sustain 3 badasses? So Alexandria and hilltop are going to survive with Rick, Michonne, Carl, Glenn, Jesus and an army of unseasoned chickens? Even in the zombie apocalypse that’s a bit unrealistic

A lot of people are betting on Daryl to die at Negan’s bat. I don’t think he will. A part of that is because of the last episode. Reedus usually plays Daryl as low key, too much sometimes, I think. But, after the death of Denise, while confronting Dwight, you could feel the hate radiating off of Daryl. Unless that conflict is resolved soon, Daryl and Dwight have unfinished business.

I’m not saying your wrong about Abraham, but you’re kidding with the “why develop him” shit, right? Characters are always pumped up right before their deaths. You literally just saw an entire episode that did that with Denise. Why put her in a relationship, why start having her be a successful doctor, why have her “toughen up” if she’s just going to get shot through the face when simultaneously recounting all of her recent character development, lest we forget.

I’m surprised that nobody’s commented on the fact that Rowles says that Bob was Sasha’s brother, since he was her love interest and Tyrese was her brother. Guess that shows I’m one of the few suckers who didn’t just skim over reading this crap.

Daryl will make the fans weep. But from what I hear on the ground, is we won’t see who Neagan kills and need to wait for the new season to find out who died. I want Glenn because that scene is so iconic in the comics that it would foolish to veer off from that in the show.

And if right hand men is a problem for Rick wait until we get Ezekiel and his tiger…which I can’t wait to see brought to screen.

Am I the only one here that is catching the fact that this idiot is basing his claims entirely on the comics (which the creators of the show have shown time and time again is a separate entity from the show), and yet he writes that Tyrese was Rick’s right hand in the comics. This, along with him claiming that Daryl is the reason for Tyrese dying in the show, are all the evidence you need to prove this article and its author are full of shit. Tyrese died before they even left the damn prison in the comics!! Tyrese lasted so much longer in the show than the comics, so clearly Daryl had nothing to do with Tyrese dying. What a crock! Who lets people publish this crap!?